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Kline Requests Information on Federal Agency Ties to ACORN

WASHINGTON, D.C. | October 7, 2009

In light of recent decisions by federal agencies including the Internal Revenue Service and Census Bureau to sever ties with the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, Rep. John Kline (R-MN) is requesting a review of links between the organization and federal education, labor, and human services programs. Kline, the top Republican on the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee, yesterday sent letters to the Secretaries of Education, Labor, and Health and Human Services requesting information about any involvement with or support for ACORN by their agencies.

“Lawmakers and taxpayers alike need to know the full extent of ACORN’s reach into the federal government,” said Kline. “Whether it’s direct funding for ACORN’s activities or collaboration between public officials and this organization, it’s time for a full airing of the links between ACORN and our government.”

NOTE: On September 17, 2009, the House voted overwhelmingly to cut off all federal funding for ACORN. The funding ban was attached to a student loan proposal still pending in the Senate, making additional congressional action necessary to immediately cut off taxpayer dollars to the organization. As such, Congress included a ban on funding for ACORN in recently enacted legislation to fund the federal government through October 31, 2009. In addition to information about past funding of or communication with ACORN, Kline is requesting information on what steps the agencies have taken to comply with this federal funding ban.